Members of the La Crosse Girlchoir took over the kitchen at the Whitney Center on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Campus on Saturday to assemble 1,200 apple pies.

Each of the choir's 38 members brought at least one adult friend to help roll crust, slice

apples and mix ingredients for the 19th annual fundraiser. They were joined by past choir families who enjoy the tradition.

"When it started, families got together and we had three or four houses making pies," said Kate Oganowski, business manager for the La Crosse Girlchoir. "Now, UW-L donates their kitchen to us so we can all be in the same place."

Getting pre-peeled apples also helps. Oganowski said it has cut down on injuries, time and waste.

"People are much more willing to come and help," she said. "Peeling was the worst part."

The pie sale is the organization's main fundraiser. The money from the $10 unbaked pies goes to maintaining the program, and a portion of each pie a girl sells is put into her account to help offset costs, Oganowski said.

They have 1,000 pies pre-sold and will have another 200 available beginning at 10 a.m. today (Sunday) at Sam's Club in Onalaska and Quillin's Food Fest in La Crosse.